Sung Tongs (CD)

Animal Collective

1 Used

Amoeba Review

Billy Gil, Hollywood 01/14/2015

Recorded by just Avey Tare and Panda Bear, Sung Tongs wrangled the band’s wild ideas into more digestible songs—though “Who Could Win a Rabbit” is still plenty screwed up, however catchy it may be. It placed emphasis on the duo’s primitivist vocals and trance-inducing harmonies while still for plenty of space to permeate through. Like Campfire Songs, Sung Tongs feels mystical and alluring, but its memorable melodies helped take the band from an exciting, experimental act to a band capable of brilliant, innovative songwriting. “Winter’s Love” gets us every time.

Tiffany Anders 06/03/2010

Sung Tongs is the fifth release for Animal Collective and is a mish-mash of influences, and yet sublimely sounds like nothing you have ever heard before. Animal Collective’s song composition is highly unconventional while managing to remain accessible. On Sung Tongs the band beautifully blend basic organic elements like acoustic guitars, primitive percussion and layered vocals with electronics and they do a superb job at it. The opening track “Leaf House” is the catchiest song on the album, the acoustic guitar heavily present and full of intensity, a choir of blissfully harmonized vocals filling up the open space. The second track “Who Could Win a Rabbit” shines just as bright as the previous, a sing along jam that summons in buzzing percussion and hand claps. The album takes a soft turn from that point on and features gorgeous songs that have room to roam like “The Softest Voice” and “Good Lovin’ Outside”. Sung Tongs is one of those rare glimpses at something very unique and special.